10 Creative Wedding Program Ideas

1. Simple Belly Band

Clean and simple, use a piece of ribbon to create a single band that wraps around your program. Bands not only keep programs closed, but also add a dash of color and a soft tactile element to your programs.

Ribbon was cut to approximately 7 inches, wrapped around the tri-fold, and secured in the back with double sided tape.

2. Decorative Bow

Another example of simple chic, tie ribbon into a single bow to adorn the top of your program design. A very easy way to do this is to use a pre-tied, self-adhesive bow, but if you want to get a little more creative with your decorative bow, tying your own is not so bad!

How We Did It
We cut 8 1/2 x 11 card stock right down the center to create a 4 1/4 x 11 inch single sheet program.

After printing, we tied a nice, symmetrical double loop bow using the handy dandy bow-easy tool. Finally, we glued it on using paper adhesive.

Ribbon is 1/4 inch satin cream.

3. Loose Spine Binding

Perfect for folding programs with insert sheets, wrap ribbon around around the spine of folder and tie into a knot or bow at the bottom, so that it has a tassel-like appearance. You won't have to worry about your insert sheets slipping out, and your programs will look fantastic!

How We Did It
Though this program looks complex, it was really quite easy! This program is made up of:

We just printed the cover and insert and tied them together at the spine. That's all there is to it!

4. Punched Spine Binding

A step up from just tying ribbon around a program, punch two holes then thread ribbon through them to bind your program layers together.

How We Did It
A 5x7 book fold card and corresponding ecru colored insert sheet were tied together with 1/4 satin moss ribbon.

A basic hole punch was used to punch two evenly spaced holes through the cover and the insert sheets along the fold, then ribbon was threaded through and tied into a decorative knot at the top.

5. 1 Hole Fan Binding

Something modern, different, and an easy easy way to make a program fan for warm weather weddings, punch one hole in the bottom left hand corner of a collection of cards and tie together with ribbon.

How We Did It
Three metallic (Stardream Kunzite) slim blank cards were printed with wedding ceremony details.

To assemble, we punched a single hole in the corner of the stack of three, then tied it all together with 1/4 inch purple satin ribbon. How easy is that?

6. Hanging Program

Attach a ribbon loop to your program so that you can hang them from guests' chairs at your ceremony. It's trendy and different, and adds a touch of fun to your decor.

How We Did It
So that it was not too flimsy, not too thick, we created this program using medium weight card stock (65lb ecru). To get a tiered look, cut four layers of the following dimensions:

5x7, 5x6, 5x5, 5x4

After printing, we used a hole punch to create two symmetrical holes, then created a ribbon loop with black 7/8" chiffon ribbon. Bow and all, we used about 18 inches, but the amount you use will depend on how low you want programs to hang.

7. Scroll Tie

Wedding program scrolls tied up with ribbon are both whimsical and elegant, and let's face it, there's something kind of awesome and intriguing about unrolling a scroll.

How We Did It
8 1/2 x 11 Japanese pearlized paper was printed on both sides (details on inside, names on outside), rolled up, and tied up with silver satin ribbon.

8. Fastener

Confetti tosses (or petals, if you or your venue prefers) post ceremony are all the rage! So why not use ribbon in a fun and practical way to fasten a bag of confetti to your program?

How We Did It
First, we designed a half fold program using a 5.5 x 8.5 card (Wood Grain Limba).

Next, we poured our confetti in a clear, fold-over bag with a peel & stick seal (yes, those are the bags we send our samples in) - but you don't have to use clear! Any bag will work, so long as you can find a way to tie it on there!

Finally we used 7/8 inch navy satin ribbon to attach the bag. We wrapped ribbon fully around the program, sealed the bag around it, then tied. If you prefer, you can do the same thing with a simple band.

9. Bag Closure

Don't want a confetti bag and a program? Then print your program right on a bag, and fill the bag with confetti!

How We Did It
The printed kraft bag was folded over, punched with two evenly spaced holes, and fastened with 1/8 satin ribbon in black (twine looks great with kraft bags too!).

10. Attach a Ribbon Wand

Who doesn't love to wave a ribbon wand? Decorate your programs and give your guests something fun to do by attaching a ribbon clad wand to your programs!

Next, punch two small holes in the side of the program (we used a nail)

Attach ribbon (satin honeysuckle and pink) to a skewer stick with hot glue to create wand

Run wand through holes

Programs (FAQs)

I Want A Custom Design, Can This Be Done?

I really like the site and the variety of styles and colors that it offers. I am looking to make my own programs for my wedding but I do not see the style I am looking for. I was wondering if it was possible to choose a particular program style and color and you guys cut it into the style I am looking for. Please let me know if this is possible and I can send an image of the style. Thanks!

Please send over the design idea that you are interested in, we would be happy to discuss this with you. With the abundance of different papers we stock along with some of our custom services we are confident that we can help you design programs for your wedding.

Do you have layered wedding programs?

Our customers have been asking for unique layered wedding program kits, and we plan to develop categories for this style. We did put together a great tutorial How to Make a Contemporary Layered Wedding Program with step by step instructions and free print templates. If you have ideas on a particular program style, let us know, we would be happy to create a tutorial for your design.

What are the things to be included on a typical event program?

The typical event program will answer questions about what is to happen, when it will happen and who will be performing. Feel free to be creative with your program design. The more personalized the program, the more memorable a keepsake it will be for your guests to save and cherish. Here is a list of what is commonly included in the ceremony program:

Elements of the ceremony (unity candle, vows)

Musical selections (as well as lyrics if they hold special meaning)

Composers and performers of your musical selections

Titles of your readings and optionally, the full text

Authors of readings

Readers names

Brief description of attendant relationships to you along with any anecdotes you might like to share

Thank you note to both sets of parents (and guests as well, if you like)

Traditions, rituals, or ethnic customs with explanations if they might be unfamiliar to your guests